E Madison St Intersection Improvements

What's happening now?

As of this writing, construction is nearly complete on the installation of curb bulbs at a number of intersections in Madison Park. The contractor is beginning to remove construction equipment.

Some crosswalks and other street markings still have to be applied (which is likely to take a few weeks), some signs still have to be installed, and the landscaper needs to fill in gaps beside the new sidewalks and curb bulbs. It is hoped the landscaper will finish this work by Friday, May 18.

SDOT’s thanks to the citizens of Madison Park for their support and cooperation on this project. We hope that the community will view the project as a valuable addition to the neighborhood, one that makes it safer for the many pedestrians.

Project Overview

Community members in Madison Park have long been concerned that many drivers speed on E Madison St as they approach the neighborhood commercial district. They note that some drivers also fail to make complete stops at stop signs in the same area, the combination of which they fear endangers those walking across E Madison or across McGilvra Boulevard E or E Garfield St at E Madison.

Following a major bicyclist/pedestrian injury collision 3-4 years ago, some members of the community approached SDOT for help in addressing these safety concerns. What was initially a Neighborhood Parks and Street Fund grant application to make improvements to the crosswalk across E Madison at McGilvra Blvd E (where the collision occurred) has since morphed into a larger project that will bring traffic calming curb bulbs to these intersections.

Curb bulbs narrow the street width, helping to slow vehicle traffic, as well as shorten crossing distances for people walking. Pedestrians preparing to cross the street are more visible to motorists, just as those vehicles are more visible to the pedestrian.

As the rendering here shows, the work will include the construction of new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, as well as 4 new bike ramps. These changes will result in the loss of six on-street parking spots. Unfortunately, the work will also result in the removal of one mature deciduous tree on the west side of E Madison on the north side of E Garfield. However, this tree will in turn be replaced with a new conifer on the west side of E Madison at McGilvra Blvd E.

Schedule

Design has been completed, but it is likely that construction will not take place until the winter of 2018.